What is the case?

The fish population in the Wadden Sea has significantly declined. Birds and (marine) mammals suffer from this as they depend on these fish for their food. Several important fish species that live in the Wadden Sea region are born and grow up in the streams of Drenthe. Due to the construction of dams, sluices, and pumping stations, they currently face great difficulty in migrating between the Wadden Sea and the streams. Improving the natural connection between these systems should increase the population of migratory fish. In this project, the demanding sea trout serves as the flagship for a broad group of migratory fish.

What is the project doing about it?

Fish for Connection is an ecological-economic project aimed at improving water quality and fish ecology as well as stimulating the sport fishing economy. The goal is to create a better connection, allowing migratory fish to move between the Wadden Sea, Lauwersmeer, and the Drenthe streams. Over the next five years, sea trout will be released, barriers in the migration route will be reduced by constructing fish passages in, among other places, the Lauwerssluizen, and spawning habitats will be created. To determine the impact of the measures, extensive monitoring will be conducted by tagging and tracking fish, fyke net monitoring, habitat studies, and salinity monitoring. Students will be involved in the research through extensive fieldwork.

What does the project deliver?

The project makes a significant contribution to improving the ecology and connectivity between the Wadden Sea, Lauwersmeer, and the Drenthe streams. During this project, the connection will be improved, and more knowledge will be gathered about the migration of sea trout, river lamprey, three-spined stickleback, flounder, and ide along this route. The habitat in the streams will be improved by creating spawning sites, and fish passages will be constructed. Additionally, the project advances economically by enabling sport fishers to enjoy fishing for sea trout in Northern Netherlands, eliminating the need to travel to Denmark. Finally, children in the region will become more aware of the importance of migratory fish.

Project Information

Researcher: Jeroen Huisman, Fish Ecology
Duration: 2019 - 2023
Project partners: Sportvisserij Nederland, Staatsbosbeheer, Sportvisserij Groningen-Drenthe, Sportvisserij Fryslân, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, the Waddenvereniging, Waterschap Noorderzijlvest, Provincie Groningen, and Prolander